Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-06-18
ytrcet of the Burnt Woman.
lLegend OF Mexica


Fpm The San Francisco Argonaut.
4 wrHknown street OF the Mexican
capital is La Gale de la Quemada, or
"the Street OF the Burnt Woman"
whose romantic story is told in an
ancient psrchlnent document, dusty
and lons forgctten.
It Was tyo centuries ago that the
actors IN this drama lived and moved
and lad their being but the story of
IT, .ir lives comes down to us ofto-day
hr Of fresh and vivid memory, as of
people We might know. And strange.
y enough it is pleasant story, too,
Notwithstanding its dark stain Of hu.
man suffering; perhaps because, tragic
as were the events, the outcome OF in
tense passion, they partook not OF
the taint of intrigue, OF treachery and
dishonor, that too often characterized
the love affairs OF the hot-blooded
Spaniyds. For this is a story OF love
and heroic sacrifice, and the lessons it
tegches are all sweet and wholesome.
Maria Anaya was one of the love-
hest maidens of Nueva Hispana.
ders was that rare beauty, at once
glowing and gentle, that fills the hearts
Of men and women alike with yearn-
ing tenderness. "On her sweet face a
blessing" said a hideous begear crone,
ops day on the Paseo, turning to look
bitter the girl; sit would warm
my heart to clasp her in my arms.
The day seems brighter, the world
seems better, since she came near. i
long to serve her-to put myself be-
tween her and some danger"
In short, Marina was one OF the few
beings gifted with the faculty Of win
ming the love of all. She had not an
enemy in the world. She lived a SIM
pie life enough in the home of her par
ents, making their lives bright, going
her daily round with an even cheerful
ness Of spirit, and gladly taking her
share OF such amusement and social
sunshine as was possible with the wom-
en- OF her day and race. She was no
saint, Marina, but neither was she a
coquette, q scold, a bigot nor an empty
headed doll-but a sweet. true, pure
minded woman. 1t was deemed strange,
IN her wide circle OF acquaintance.tha
Marina had no lover. Suitors had
she galore. to choose from whom she
needed but to raise her finger. But
sheelected not to choose. "Why should
i wed'" she would say when question
ed with urgence, ''simply to haye q
husbandi But what is husband
worth il he be not dear? And better
that live to robe the saints, as is
our saying, than to marry but that II
is the custom, and afterward meet one
to whom all the heart goes forth. Ay
Dios! what misery. Nay nay! IthinE
my parents love me; and, until they
send me from their home, Twill not
marry, unless come to love-" And
IN that day, to follow a course requir
ed even more than to-day of firmness
resolution, and sihgleness of purpose
Marina had her reward. There
Game q change in the vice-royalty-
the viceroys were changed sometimes
the regal master occasionally opin
ed that his representative thought
OF the subject first; and nov
and again one embarked for an
other kingdom, to render there a,
count OF his earthly craftsmanship
mus, a new viceroy came to Mexico
ana with him, came Leonel de la Mon
lana, eomely youth OF ancient lin
cage, especially detailed by Philip tn
second Tor the Journey to the neV
world. de was noble, handsome rich
was aught else lacking? Midst the dis
so'uteyouth of the day might one loo
,or saint? Such, indeed, was no
ieonei de la Montana; he was a so
aler, who had fought well and to hi
own lame in the campaigns OF Flar
9ers, and he had a soldiers faults
Dut ne was also a brave and Knight
" man, whose sins were never bas
nor Ioathsome, and, judged by tn
standard OF the time, he was excel
sional as to honor and morals.
he met Marino soon after his arri'
~ Who shall say how and where? O
tne paseo OF those days, at church,
~ one OF the infrequent tertulias ,
sne time! And from the first time |
ssw her, he lived and breathed but IL
aarina Anaya, and he made h
1art with such eager assiduity th'
aey were soon petrothed. And Nj
.s's iound in her lover the fultillmel
~her ideal, the realization OF tn;
ndard, lacking which she had be-
atent to live unwedded. Her evel
IN and aspiration were satisfied
9tellences of Leonel. IL only s.
e persuade him that such was t
hn For the one thing that MARI
psriect happiness, the one blemi
80 character otherwise all syI
encal, was the terrible stra
JEALOUSY in his nature.
sS ssy sy have been the proverbial mod,
'P' The true lover, making him feel